Driving mechanism for axminster tube frame systems



May 10, 1949. w. H. WAKEFIELD 2,469,756 DRIVING MECHANISM FOR"AXMINS'I'ER TUBE FRAME SYSTEMS Filed Jan. 7, 1948 2 sheets-sh et 1 'FIG.I

INVENTQR WA L'TER H. WAKEFIELD ATTORNEY May 10, 1949. E w. H WAKEFIELD 2,469,756

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR AXMINSTER TUBE FRAME SYSTEMS Filed Jan. 7, 1948 1 2 Sheets-$heet 2 FIG.2

n |n|||||| I o IINYENTOR WALTER H. WAKEFIELD ATTORNEY Patented May 1Q, 1949 UNITED 1f OFFICE DRIVING MECHANISM FOR AXMINSTER TUBE FRAME SYSTEMS Application January 7, 1948, Serial No. 983

12 Claims. (01. 1397.)

This invention relates to improvements in driving mechanism for the tube frame conveyor systems of Axminster looms and it is the general object of the invention to provide a motor running continuously when the loom is weaving tuft fabric and controlled to advance a large part of the conveyor system toward the tube frame transfer position at the rate required by the 100m.

Axminster looms operate with a series of tube frames carried by endless chains operated in such manner as to advance the tube frames one at a time to a transfer position where they are detached from the chain for tuft forming operations and then returned to the chain. The loom ordinarily has a pullover shaft which advances the tube frames to the transfer station at regularly recurring intervals. In narrow Axminster looms the pullover shaft is able to move the entire tube frame system, but in wide looms the system is quite heavy and additional means to drive it is desirable.

In the past Axrninster looms have been built with a motor to drive the tube frame system in its entirety when a new set of tube frames are being applied to the chains, but this motor does not ordinarily move the chain during loom op-- eration. Such looms have had an upright shaft which drives the upper part of the conveyor system. independently of the section which is moved by the pullover shaft.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a motor for the upper part of the conveyor system tending to drive the latter slightly faster than is needed for loom operation,

and by means of gearing between the aforesaid upright shaft and the loom reduce the motor speed to a point which will permit it to drive its part of the conveyor system at the proper rate for loom operation.

The previously mentioned upright shaft will ordinarily be directly geared to the loom when tuft fabric is being wovenand the motor for the conveyor system can therefore assist in driving the loom by power transmitted from it through the gearing of the upright shaft should the num ber of tube frames on the conveyor chain not require all the power of the motor.

Although the invention is shown hereinafter as adapted more particularly to looms already in use it is not necessarily thus limited, since it will be sufficient if the loom has a part which limits the rate at which the conveyor system motor can run to that required by the pullover shaft.

With these and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the combination and arrangement of. parts hereinafter described and set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein a convenient embodiment of my invention is set forth,

Fig. 1. is a side elevation of; a portionv of an Axminster loom having the invention applied thereto,

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuits which control the loom and conveyor sys-- tem motors,

Fig. 31s a diagrammatic view showing the relationship between. the gear at the bottom of the upright shaft and a loom driven gear with which it meshes, and

Fig; 4 is -a diagrammatic view of the tube frame conveyor system showing the several parts thereof.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, the loomframe ill supports a shaft M which turns continuously during loom operation and drives a cam IZto rock a lever iii. The upper end of the lever is connected to two forwardly extending rods l4 and lt-which lead respectively to feed levers l6 and H for the pullover shaft l8. Each of these levers i5 and if is provided with'a pawlnot shown for cooperation with aratchet wheel not shown secured to the pullover shaft 58. A pawlshield I9 is pivotedas at 29 and can assumethree different vertical positions in the uppermost of Whichpullovershaft l3 will be turned in one direction and in the lowermost of which the shaft will be turned in'the opposite direction. When the shield I9 is in itsintermediate or neutral position neither of the feed pawls is able to turn the pullover shaft;

During loom operationshaft II will be turned byv amotor LM shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2, and as cam l2 turns the pullover shaft will be givensperiodic rocking movements in a direction determined by the position of the shield IS. The shield is controlled by a link 2| extending'upwardly to a handlever 22 pivotedas at'23 and having adepending handle 24 by which the op-' erator can change the direction of turning of the pullover shaft, or move the shield l9 to'newtral position.

Shaft l I, which turns always in the same direction, has secured thereto a bevel'gear 25 meshing with another bevel gear 26 secured to the left end of a shaft 2'! as viewed in Fig. 1. This shaft, also turning always in the same direction, is mounted in bearings 23 and 29 and has freely rotatable thereon right and left bevel gears 30 and 3| which mesh with a bevel gear trsecured to the -lower end of: an upright or verticalshaft 33. A clutch turns with shaft 2'7 and is slidable along the latter by means of a rod 35 to connect either of the gears or iii to shaft 2?. Rod 35 is attached to a bell crank lever 33 connected to an upright rod attached at its upper end to another bell crank lever connected by a rod 33 to handle 2 By reason of the connections just described the clutch 3 5 can be moved to either of three positions along the shaft 21 to cause shaft 33 to turn in either direction, depending upon the direction of feed of the pullover shaft l8, or be moved to inoperative or idle position when shield l9 is in neutral or non-feeding position. The gears 39, 35 and 32 and clutch 34 constitute reversible mechanism or gearing between shaft 33 and shafts 2? and l l.

The upper end of shaft 33 has secured thereto a bevel gear ll: meshing with another bevel gear 3i secured to a long horizontal shaft 42 supported by frame F of the conveyor system CS. This shaft 622' is operatively connected by a plurality of worm and Worm wheel mechanisms 33 to cross shafts tal which drive the chains one of which is designated at C in Fig. 1. In Fig. 4 the system CS is shown as comprising two tight or driven sections TS and PS movable independently of each other, and front and back slack wells WP and WE, respectively. Section TS is driven by shaft 42 while section PS is driven by the pullover shaft. The tube frames for the conveyor system are indicated at T.

The matter thus far described is similar to that shown in Ryon and Robertson Patent No. 1,512,- 057 and has been employed on many AXminste-r looms.

The frame F supports two cross shafts 4'5 and ll; to which are secured sprocket wheels 4'! and 48 respectively which move with conveyor sec" tion PS and are required to turn at the same rate and in the same direction by a small synchronizing chain .13 meshing with sprocket wheels 53 and 5E secured respectively to shafts 45 and 46. Shaft has freely rotatable thereon a worm wheel 52 meshing with a worm 53 secured to shaft 42. A clutch 54 turns with shaft 43 and is controlled by a lever 55 operated by a depending rod 55 connected to a hand lever 51. Movement of the latter to operative position clutches worm wheel 52 to shaft 43 to cause the latter to turn with shaft 42.

Under ordinary tuft forming operation of the loom clutch 54 will be in non-driving position so that section PS will be able to move independently of the wells and section TS. When the system is to be moved as a whole for application of a new set of tube frames the clutch 54 will be moved to driving position so that sections PS and TS will be driven in unison. The clutch 54 has been used heretofore and no claim is made for it herein.

Mounted on the frame F is a reversible motor CM which may be associated with a gear reducing unit desi nated generally at 63 including a pinion iii meshing with a gear 62 secured to shaft 42. Whenever the motor CM is running it has the efiect of turning shaft 42 to drive all parts of the conveyor system operatively connected to it. The motor CM and its gearin s s a different from that contemplated in the aforesaid Ryon and Robertson patent, but may be similar to motors employed in more recently built Axminster looms wherein the motor is driven during loom operation to advance the greater part of the system CS.

The present invention relates more particularly to the control exercised by shaft 33 and gears 33, 3! and 32 over the rate at which motor CM can turn shaft 52. It is to be understood that the periodic rocking of pullover shaft I3 will advance the section PS of the tube frame chain system at a given average rate to advance the tube frames T to a transfer position TP under the pullover shaft. If the loom is operating three-shot so that there is a tuft forming operation for every three picks of the loom the pullover shaft will advance a tube frame to the transfer position at the beginning of a three pick cycle, after which the shaft l8 will then remain at rest until the tuft forming operation has been completed and the next three pick cycle starts.

The motor CM must of course drive the shaft 42 at such a rate as to move the section TS of the conveyor system CS at the aforesaid given average rate of the section PS. In order to accomplish this result motor CM is caused by its gearingto the shaft 42 to tend to drive the latter slightly faster than is sufiicient to maintain the given average rate of travel of the conveyor system, but the motor will be restrained from driving shaft t2 at this higher rate due to the meshing of bevel gear 32 with whichever of the gears 33 or 3! is connected by clutch 34 to shaft 2?.

In Fig. 3 the relation of the teeth of bevel gears 3i and 32 is exaggerated in order to show how the loom restrains the motor CM. Bevel gear 3! is shown with teeth and it may be assumed that these teeth are driven by the loom in the direction of arrow a. Bevel gear 32 has teeth 63 which motor CM tries to move in the direction of arrow b at'a rate faster than teeth 65 are moved by the loom. The advancing surfaces 67 of teeth 33 engage the trailing surfaces 68 of the teeth 35 and in this way the rate at which shafts 33 and 42 can turn is determined by the rate at which shaft l l turns. The latter shaft turns constantly and of course determines the given average rate at which section PS moves and the conveyor system CS cannot move faster than this average rate.

It will be apparent from Fig. 3 that gear 32 tends to turn gear 3| and any excess of power of motor CM beyond that required to move section TS will be added to the power of motor LM to help drive the loom. It will also be apparent that if for any reason motor CM should temporarily fail the gear 3| will establish driving connections with gear 32, and the relationship of the teeth 65 and 35 will be reversed in that teeth 65 will drive teeth 36. This will be an unusual condition, but the parts of the conveyor system will be kept in step with each other even though this condition should arise.

In Fig. 2 the two motors are shown to be of the alternating current three phase type operated by electric power supplied by electric power lines L, L2 and L3. A master switch l3 controls the circuits for the two motors LM and CM and whenever this switch is closed loom driving motor LM will run. Axminster looms are generally provided with a shipper mechanism indicated at H which connects the motor LM to the loom when the latter is to run. A switch 12 is controlled by the shipper mechanism and will be in open position indicated in full lines, Fig. 2, when the shipper mechanism is in the off or non-running position. When the shipper mechanism moves to the driving position shown in dotted lines switch I2 will be closed so that motor CM can operate, provided a reversing switch 13 is closed to cause the motor CM to run either forwardly or reentire co s eam versely. Switch l-efishownalso in Fig. '-1, iscontrolled by handle 24 'and when not in its closed forward erreverse position will be "in neutral open position, dot-and dash lines Fig. 2, corresponding for instance to 'the weaving of a heading between two rugs.

In order that the motor CM may drive the ivcyor system 'when'clutch 54 is in drivlug position, anotherswitch it is provided to connect the motor directly with vthe main power lines, provided switch "10 is closed, thus bypassing both the shipper handle switch and the reversing switch, This switch M is normally held open by a spring T5 and remains closed only so long as the operator desires to move the entire conveyor system when applying. a new .set of tube frames.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the invention provides means by which the main shaft ll of the loom determines the rate at which mc CM can advance section T5. The speed at ch :rnotor CM is permitted to run is controlled lay the bevel gear 32 at the bottom of the shaft 35% and the bevel gear meshing with it which is clutched to shaft 25. The clutch B ipermits 33 even though :sha-fts ill and 29f turn always in the same direction. As shown more particularly in Fig. 3, the teeth :of a loom driven gear determines the rate :at which motor CM can :move the section TS and the latter is thus :driven at the correct rate to meet the needs of the loom. Any excess power derivable from motor CM beyond that required to 'move section TS can the added to the power of motor LM to drive the motor. Also, if temporary changes should occur the operation of motor CM, such for instance a reduced speed or stoppage, the two parts TS and PS of the conveyor system will remain in step w ach other.

Having thus described my invention it will be i seen that changes and modifications array be made therein by those skilled in the art wi out departthe it and scope "of the invention and I do not v "'1 disclosed, "but what ;I claim is: 1. In an Arminster loom-provided with tube 1e conveyor system hai lng two sections movacle independently of each other, a pullover shaft effective when turning to move one of said sec- ,1.

tions, mechanism including .a continuously rotating part effecting periodic turning of said pullover shaft, a second shaft rotatable to move the other sectionof the system, a motor rotating the second shaft, and gearing operatively interconnesting the rotating part of said mechanism and second shaft preventing the motor from turning the second shaft at a rate of rotation which will exceed a given fixed ratio between the rates of turning of said rotating part of said mechanism and said second shaft.

2. In an AXminster loom provided with a tube frame conveyor system having two sections movable independently of each other, a pullover shaft operatively connected to one of said sections, mechanism inclu: eg a continuously rotating part effective to turnsaid pullover shaft periodically and cause the latter to move said one section periodically at a given average rate, a second shaft o-peratively connected to the other section to be "limited to the details 6 preventing the motor from turning said second shaft faster than said predetermined rate.

3. In an Axrninsterloom provided with a "tube frame conveyor system having two sections movable independently of each other, a pullover shaft operatively connected to one of said sections, mechanism including a continuously rotating part effective to turn said pullover shaft periodically and cause said shaft "to move said one section at a given average rate, a second shaft operatively connected to the other section of the systern and effective when turning at a predetermined rate 'to move said other section at said average rate, a motor "tending to turn said second shaft at a rate faster than the predetermined rate thereof, and gearing interconnecting the rotating part of said mechanism and said second shaft preventing the motor from turning said second shaft faster than said'predetermined rate.

4. In an Axminster loom provided with a tube frame :conveyor system having 'two sections movable independently of each other, a pullover shaft operewively connected to one of said sections, mechanism including a continuouslyrotating part reversal f tha direction -f vfilming the shaft F effective to turn said shaft periodically and cause said shaft to move said one section at a given average rate, asecond shaft :operat'ively connected :tothe other section of the system and effective when turning at a predetermined rate to .move said other section at said average rate, a gear turning in timed relation with said rotating part of said mechanism, a motor turning said second shaft, and a second gear secured to the second shaft meshing with the first named gear and cooperating therewith to prevent the motor from turning said second shaft at rate greater than said predetermined rate.

5. In an AXmi-nster loom provided with .a tube frame conveyor system having two sections movable independently of eachothe-na pullover shaft for one of said sections, :a' second shaft for the other section, saidshafts when rotating at rates bearing a fixed ratio to each other moving both of said sectionsof the systemat thesame average rate, a motor tending to turn the second shaft at a rate greater than the rate thereof corresponding to said ratio, and means operatively interconnecting said shafts preventing the motor from turning the second shaft at said greater rate.

'it In an ,Axminster loom provided with a tube frame :conveyor system having two sections movable independently of each other, a pullover shaft effective when turning to move one of said sections, rotating means causing periodic turning of said pullover shaft, a horizontal shaft effective when turning to move the other section through a plurality of operative connections therewith along the length thereof, a vertical shaft having driving connection with the horizontal shaft, said rotating means and vertical shaft when rotating at rates bearing a fixed ratio to each other causing the pullover and horizontal shafts to move their respective sections of the system at the same average rate, a motor tending to turn the Vertical shaft at a faster rate than that corresponding to said ratio, and gearing interconnecting said rotating means and vertical shaft preventing the motor from turning the vertical shaft at said faster rate.

'7. In an Axminster loom provided with a tube frame conveyor system having two sections movable independently of each other, a pullover shaft effective during loom operation to move one of said sections periodically at a given average rate, a motor tending during loom operation to move the second section of the system at a rate faster than said given rate, and means operatively connected to the motor and moved by the loom during operation thereof preventing the motor from moving said second section faster than said given average rate.

8. In an Axminster loom provided with a tube frame conveyor system having a section thereof moving periodically at a given average rate during loom operation, a motor running continuously during loom operation and capable if running at the normal speed thereof of moving another section of the system continuously at a rate faster than said given average rate, and means operatively connected to the motor and moved by the loom during operation thereof causing the motor to run below the normal speed thereof and at a speed to move said other section at a rate equal to said given average rate.

9. In an Axminster loom provided with a tube frame conveyor system having a section thereof moved periodically at a given average rate during loom operation by pullover mechanism, a motor which tends during loom operation to move another section of the system at a rate faster than said given average rate, and gearing means including a gear driven by the loom meshing with a gear turning with the motor limiting the latter to a speed at which the motor will move said other section of said system at said given average rate.

10. In an Axminster loom provided with a tube frame conveyor system having two sections movable independently of each other, a pullover shaft effective during loom operation to move one of said sections periodically at a given average rate, a driving shaft operatively connected to the second section of the system, a motor tending during loom operation to cause said driving shaft to move said second section at a rate faster than said given average rate, and gearing means including a gear moved by the loom meshing with a gear secured to the driving shaft limiting the motor to a speed at which the driving shaft will move the second section at said given average rate, said gearing means effective in the event of stoppage of the motor during loom operation to turn said driving shaft by a force derived from the loom at a speed to cause said second section to move at said given average rate.

11. In an Axminster loom provided with a reversible tube frame conveyor system having two driven sections, a reversible pullover shaft operatively connected to one of said sections, a loom shaft turning in one direction only and effective during loom operation to cause said pullover shaft whether running forwardly or reversely to move said one section at a given average rate, a driving shaft for the second section of the system, a reversible motor tending to cause the driving shaft to move said second section of the system at a rate faster than said given average rate, reversible gearing to interconnect the loom and driving shafts including a gear secured to one of the last named two shafts and a gear element slidable along but turning with the other of said two shafts to mesh with said gear to cause the latter and said element to turn together either forwardly or reversely, and reversible control means causing the pullover shaft, slidable element, driving shaft and motor to turn both of said sections of the system either forwardly or reversely during loom operation, said gearing preventing the motor from causing the driving shaft to move said second section of the system faster than said given average rate regardless of whether said sections of the system are moving forwardly or reversely.

12. In an Axminster loom provided with a tube frame conveyor system having two tight sections and having a motor operatively connected permanently to one of said tight sections and normally disconnected from but connectible operatively to the other tight section, two meshing gears one of which is operatively connected to and turns with the motor, clutch means turned by the loom capable of assuming two positions in one of which the loom is caused to turn the other gear and the latter cooperates with said one gear to prevent the motor from moving said one section faster than is required by the loom when the motor is disconnected from the other tight section, said clutch means being movable to a second position in which the other gear is not rotatable by the loom to enable the motor and second gear to turn independently of the loom, and electric circuit means to cause running of the motor when said clutch means is in the second position thereof and the motor is operatively connected to said other tight section of said system.

WALTER H. WAKEFIELD.

No references cited. 

